From where Henri Fayol got the idea of 14 principles of Management? Henri Fayol (1841-1925) was the managing director of large coal mining firm. He became famous by writing 14 principle of management. He described the practice of management as something distinct from accounting, finance, production, distribution, and other typical business functions. His belief that management was an activity common to all human beings in business, government, and even in the home led him to develop 14 principles of management. These are known as the fundamental rules of management that could be taught in schools and applied in all organizational situations. These principles are considered as most comprehensive principles of management. The reason behind this is that these principles are actually derived from teachings of Islam. If you compare these principles with Ayaat and Ahadees you will find most of these principles there. It means that Islam has already given the principles of management 1400 years ago. It shows that the best book about management is Quran and one can become good manager by understanding The Holy Quran and following the Sunnah of Prophet Mohammed (P.B.U.H). Now let s look at these principles and compare it with relevant ayaat and ahadess: 14 Principles of Management: 1. Division of work: Specialization increases output by making employees more efficient. This principle is given Quran in these words: No soul shall have a burden laid on it greater than it can bear [2:33]
This ayat is emphasizing on the fact that physical, emotional, and intellectual capacity of an individual is limited and every person has his own talents and temperament, it is important not to burden someone with a task that is beyond his or her ability. 2. Authority: Managers must be able to give orders and authority gives them this right. 3. Discipline: Employees must obey and respect the rules that govern the organization. These principles are given by The Holy Quran in these words: Obey Allah and His Messenger and those in position of authority among you. [4:59] In this ayat Almighty ALLAH himself is saying that you should follow those who are in authority among you. Means one should give respect to his superiors and follow his directions. Just like a Muslim in Mosque do when he offer his prayer Ba-jammat. He follows the directions and commands given to him by Imam. In this way when every one respect and obey the directions of those who are in command organization can work properly without any hindrance. 4. Unity of command: Every employee should orders from only one superior. 5. Unity of direction: The organization should have a single plan of action to guide managers and workers. This principle can be found in The Holy Quran in these words: If there were in the heavens and the earth, other gods, Besides ALLAH, there would have been collision in both. Though this ayat is about the existence of only one God but this also shows the importance and necessity of unity of command and unity of direction.
And in Holy Quran The Almighty ALLAH emphasizes repeatedly the existence of only one God. Because if we ponder over the system of this universe, we will get to know that everything is very systematic. Changing of weather changing of day and night shows that this system is run and managed by only one manager and that is ALLAH. If some organization wants to run its system smoothly then it should follow this principle of Islam that is given in Surah Anbia, Ayat no. 22. This principle will keep them away from many confusions, complications and conflicts. 6. Subordinates of individual interests to the general interests: The interest of any employee or group of employees should not take precedence over the interest of the organization as a whole. Followers of the religion Islam is called Muslim. And the word Muslim means the person who subordinates his will. It means a person who subordinates his will to Almighty ALLAH. This principle can be found in Hadees Shareef where Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said: I swear by the One who owns my life, nobody can be honest unless and until he like the things for his brother (other Muslims) that he likes for himself. (Bukhari Shareef) 7. Remuneration: Workers must be paid a fair wage for their services. This principle is one of the most emphasized principles in Hadees. Because the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said that Pay remuneration to labor before drying his sweat This is a beautiful principle to keep your workers and employees happy. If they get reasonable and fair wages and remunerations and also within time then they will be much pleased and do the work assigned by you with motivation and in this way you can get maximum output from your employees. 8. Centralization: This term refers to the degree to which subordinates are involved in decision making.
This principle is mentioned in The Holy Quran in Surah Aal-e-Imran in Ayat No. 159. Pass over (their faults), and ask for (God's) forgiveness for them; and consult them in affairs (of moment). Then, when you have taken a decision put your trust in God, for God loves those who put their trust (in Him). In this ayat Almighty ALLAH says to The Prophet to be kind to your followers and Also consult with them in your affairs. This shows the importance of consultation in affairs. The Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) is ordered by ALLAH to consult. And also Prophet himself advised his followers to consult with your fellows in different affairs because that can lead to you to right direction. 9. Scalar chain: The line of authority from top management to lowest ranks is the scalar chain. 10.Order: People and the material should be in right place at the right time. 11.Equity: Managers should kind and fair to their subordinates. This Principle is Given in one of the Book of Hadees The Tirmzi, The Holy Prophet said: Allah does not take pity on the one who have not it for others. (Muslim-Tirmzi) This Hadees shows the importance of kindness not only with subordinates but also with superiors. The Prophet emphasized a lot on the Kindness. If a person deals employees with courtesy and kindness he can get maximum output from them. That s why it is said that,
Kindness is the noblest weapon to conquer with. So in the light of above mentioned Hadees a manager should try to behave kindly and fairly so that employees can be motivated and in this way manager can get work done easily from them. 12. Stability of tenure of personnel: Management should provide personnel planning and ensure that replacements are available to fill vacancies. This principle can be found in this ayat: And the Firmament has He raised high, and He has set up the Balance (of Justice),In order that ye may not transgress (due) balance. So establish weight with justice and fall not short in the balance. [55:7-9] This ayat states that no one should be under load or over load and work should be divided among every one equally. Keeping this thing in view an organization should try not to waste any time but fill vacancy and made replacements ready so that no one get over or under load. 13.Intiative: Employees who are allowed to originate and carry out plans will exert high levels of effort. This point shows the importance of trusting on employees giving them right thing to do and allowing them to do in their style can motivate them a lot and they will put extra bit of effort if we encourage them to initiate. One should have enough confidence and trust on his employees to allow them work with new styles and innovation. Islam also emphasizes a lot on trust. If some one trust the other then he should not break that trust. 14. Esprit de Cops: Promoting team spirit will build harmony and unity within the organization.
Esprit de cops means to encourage your subordinates and treat them in such a way that they develop team spirit, belongingness and unity within the organization. The Holy Quran gave this principle in following words: (Telling the Prophet) if you had been stern and fierce of heart they (the companions and followers) would have disappeared from around you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the conduct of affairs [3:159] In this ayat Almighty ALLAH is saying to His beloved Prophet to treat his companions and followers with courtesy. Similarly if a manager wants to keep his employees motivated so he has to treat them with courtesy in this way he can promote the team spirit and unity and harmony within an organization. Conclusion: Except 9 th and the 10 th point each and every principle of Henri Fayol has any ayat or hadees in it. This shows that how much importance Islam has given to the subject of management. And 9th and 10 th couldn t prove not because the Islam hasn t given these things but because of my limited knowledge. If I would have more knowledge about Islam Perhaps I would be able to prove these two points as well. The whole modern management revolves around these 14 principles and Islam gave it 1400years back. But unfortunately Muslims neglected them